SCI Superstar: Candace Cable

Sometimes we can become incredibly passionate about a certain sport after our injury. This happens with countless people with a SCI, and a few even excel at it beyond their wildest dreams. This has certainly been the case with Candace Cable – a six-time Paralympian in cross-country skiing.

Adapted sports have been “the sun” in Candace’s post-injury life. From being known as a pioneer of wheelchair racing to creating a slew of educational videos for the Reeve foundation, let’s delve into the fearless world of Candace Cable

Why she’s fearless

When she was 21 years old in 1975, Candace’s whole life changed when she became a T11 – L1 paraplegic after a car accident. Since she was a lifelong resident of California, she was sent to Rancho Los Amigos for 2 years of rehab, but they were spent in denial and withdrawal (like so many of us in the beginning).

She soon overcame the 2 year slump and enrolled at California State University in Long Beach majoring in physical education. Meeting others in wheelchairs to see how they’ve adjusted AND to get more involved in disabled sports programs were her two goals, and meet them has she ever.

The first competition she entered was the National Wheelchair Games in 1979, but she was on the swim team (something she didn’t really enjoy/almost drowned). After the games, she decided to focus on wheelchair racing after a recommendation from one of her coaches, and she took to it right away. No, she fell in love with it. She went on to become a pioneer for the sport, winning 9 Paralympic gold medals and two Olympic gold medals. Before retiring in 2006, she raced in over 75 marathons, winning six Boston marathon titles.

And in the late 1980’s she tried on a different sport on for size – alpine skiing (adapted downhill skiing), and she fell in love with skiing all over again (like she did just before her injury). However, after briefly enjoying alpine skiing, Candace decided to focus solely on cross country skiing, finding out a little foible about herself – that she absolutely loves endurance sports (you go girl).

What’s next?

But getting un-involved was definitely not part of her retirement plans. She directed a nonprofit organization called Turning Point Tahoe, that fosters outdoor recreation for the disabled, and she directed Advancing Our Abilities, an organization that creates programs for the disabled in public schools.

Candace also went on to collaborate with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. She’s one of their official bloggers and is featured in several of the informational videos on their site, mainly cross-country how-to videos, explaining how to do the sport and do it safely.

An amazing athletic career that’s transformed into a life dedicated to helping others, that’s the beauty of Candace Cable.

Have you met Candace Cable? What sports have you been turned onto post-injury?

Watch the videos!

– How-to cross country ski on dry land with Candace Cable

– Candace Cable shows an in-chair exercise technique to build better balance

– Candace Cable’s submission video for her own OWN network show